Mitigation Works for All Hazards

What is Mitigation?

Mitigation is an action taken to reduce the loss of life and property. This is achieved through communities identifying and analyzing their hazards and risks. Once gathered, this information provides a foundation for mitigation activities that reduce risk, and flood insurance that protects financial investment.

FEMA’s Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA) manages the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and implements a variety of programs authorized by Congress to reduce losses that may result from natural disasters. Effective Mitigation efforts can break the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage.

What Programs make up Region 6 Mitigation?

Flood Mapping and Hazard Mitigation Planning, also known as Risk Analysis, initiate Mitigation through a thorough assessment of the potential and actual impacts a natural disaster could (or did) have on a community. FEMA’s Risk Analysis staff work with communities to assess and delineate natural flood risks within communities.  This information is shared with the communities through new updated flood map information or other new flood risk tools.

Floodplain Management and Flood Insurance, also known as National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) - Work with communities to create flood damage prevention ordinances and compliance with National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations. As well as provide information to Insurance Agents, Lenders and Individuals with questions about the NFIP.

Grants, both disaster and non-disaster, also known as Hazard Mitigation Assistance - Through partnerships with the States, provide information, technical assistance and guidance on the following grant programs:  Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA); Repetitive Flood Claims (RFC); and Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL).

• Through your State Hazard Mitigation Officer, communities and Federally Recognized Tribes can learn how to develop an application for a Hazard Mitigation Grant

Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation - Work with communities and States to insure compliance with laws to protect the environment and historic structures by providing technical assistance.

Disaster Operations - Working with the Response and Recovery Divisions both before and after a federal declaration to determine what possible mitigation actions have occurred.

Community Education and Outreach - Working with FEMA Staff, communities, States and Tribes to encourage the education of citizends on how to identify and mitigate their risk.

What does Mitigation mean to me, Homeowner, Renter or Business Owner?

As a homeowner, renter or business owner you should know what risks you may face and what actions you can take to lessen the impact of the identified hazards.

For example:

• June 1, 2012 began what some are predicting to be an active hurricane season.  Are you at risk of being impacted by a hurricane? What will you do if such an event occurs?
• "Tornado Alley" has been very active this year. How will you keep yourself, your family, your co-workers and your friends safe? Do you have a plan?
• A home or business does not have to be in a flood zone to flood. Statistics have shown that approximately 25% of all flood claims are from areas considered to be in a "low to moderate" risk zone. Do you know what your flood zone is? Do you have flood insurance?

To learn more about being prepared, your flood risk, flood insurance and/or how your State is Prepared please visit the following websites:

• Ready.gov
• Floodsmart.gov
• Arkansas State Preparedness: ArkansasPreparedness
• Louisiana State Preparedness:  Gohsep.la.gov
• New Mexico State Preparedness:  Nmdhsem.org
• Oklahoma State Preparedness:  OK.gov
• Texas State Preparedness:   TXdps.state.tx.us

This information is great, but who do I call in Region 6 Mitigation if I have questions?

FEMA.gov/region-vi-mitigation-division

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Region VI is firmly committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its programs, services and materials. If you have a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation to access our mitigation publications, services and programs, please contact Jennifer Knecht, 940-898-5553. 

Additional resources:

Office of Disability Integration and Coordination  FEMA.gov/about/odic

Americans with Disabilities Act ADA.gov

National Council on Disability NCD.gov